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Hot Rods Brake Light Problems

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by krylon32, Oct 9, 2024.

  1. krylon32
    Joined: Jan 29, 2006
    Posts: 10,928

    krylon32
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Nebraska

    Just came in from the garage. Final checklist before we head out for the ROC in the morning. Headlights both high & low beams, led taillights both sides, front and rear turn signals both sides when I hit the brakes the left and third brake lights come on but not the right brake light. In the past if the turn signals are working and the left and center brake lights are working the right brake light should to? It was built with one of those cheesy Chinese turn signal switches with the little green light on the end of the lever. Any Ideas? I'll be alright the way it is if I stay on my toes. Just frustrating!
     
  2. Tow Truck Tom
    Joined: Jul 3, 2018
    Posts: 3,474

    Tow Truck Tom
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Clayton DE

    Before blaming the circuit, I would try another bulb or a test light.
     
  3. Tim
    Joined: Mar 2, 2001
    Posts: 20,510

    Tim
    Member
    from KCMO

    With led tail lights I don’t think a bad bulb is an option. Maybe a ground?
     
    Special Ed and Tow Truck Tom like this.
  4. Mr48chev
    Joined: Dec 28, 2007
    Posts: 36,057

    Mr48chev
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    It's not going to be the bulb because it should be the same bulb as the turn signals.
    I'm putting my bet in that it is inside the turn signal switch.
    I'd work the switch a few times to see if it didn't have some crud in it that is causing it to loose contact.

    I've got one or two of those switches stashed away out in the garage or trailer but have never had one apart to tell what they look like inside.
     
    bschwoeble and partssaloon like this.
  5. '29 Gizmo
    Joined: Nov 6, 2022
    Posts: 1,193

    '29 Gizmo
    Member
    from UK

    I had similar issues, turned out to be bad LED bulbs... swap out for regular bulbs first to rule that out... they also screwed up my GPS speedo.
     
  6. BOY, with all the problem with signal lights, I am glad mine are not intertwined with the brake light. Brake light bulb and tail light bulb is a two filament. Signal light bulb is separate. THANK YOU, Buick!

    Ben
     
  7. bschwoeble
    Joined: Oct 20, 2008
    Posts: 1,125

    bschwoeble
    Member

    I'm betting it's the cheesy Chinese turn signal switch.
     
  8. RICH B
    Joined: Feb 7, 2007
    Posts: 6,023

    RICH B
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Yep, signal switch trouble; only place the individual brake & turn power is intermingled.
     
  9. The brake switch sends the signal to the turn signal switch first and then branches out and goes to the tail lamps. If the light is flashing but the regular brake light is not on, then the problem is when the turn signal switch is in the off position, there is a bad/no contact internally to light up the brake lamp on the inop side.
     
    RodStRace and jimmy six like this.
  10. RodStRace
    Joined: Dec 7, 2007
    Posts: 9,145

    RodStRace
    Member

    Yep, sounds like the switch. I wonder if you failed to mention another part of the circuit. Is there a separate 3rd brake light signal from the switch or is there one of those trailer splitters to trigger the 3rd light? The CHMSL adds another level of complexity, even if it's not the current isssue.
     
  11. nochop
    Joined: Nov 13, 2005
    Posts: 4,636

    nochop
    Member
    from norcal

    Ground, check and verify
     
  12. RodStRace
    Joined: Dec 7, 2007
    Posts: 9,145

    RodStRace
    Member

    I'd agree in almost every case, but the other light functions all work and he didn't mention any dimming or crossfeed, both big indications of ground issues.
     
    nochop likes this.
  13. 51504bat
    Joined: May 22, 2010
    Posts: 5,678

    51504bat
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Try wiggling the turn signal switch lever to insure it is making the correct contacts. Worked on some of the old trucks that I worked on at a local dairy years ago. Just a thought.
     
    jaracer likes this.
  14. Most electrical dingbats are over my head......
    but if the switch and bulb turn out okay I'd check the flasher.
     
  15. RodStRace
    Joined: Dec 7, 2007
    Posts: 9,145

    RodStRace
    Member

    Flasher works on 4 corners. stop doesn't work on one corner. Doubt flasher is a problem.
    [​IMG]
     
  16. Yea, I kinda realized after I posted that I was talking through my hat because it's the brake light that has the issue not the signals.
    But I didn't see how it could be the signal switch because the signal lights work.
     
    RodStRace likes this.
  17. pprather
    Joined: Jan 10, 2007
    Posts: 9,026

    pprather
    Member

    This is the turn signal switch I installed six years ago to replace a look a like made of chrome plastic, that fell apart. This one is diecast metal, works great!
    https://www.ebay.com/itm/301528699100
     
  18. The signal switch acts a junction point, the brake lamp power has to p*** through it first before going to the lamps. The circuitry inside the switch itself is the problem.
     
    The Shift Wizard likes this.
  19. krylon32
    Joined: Jan 29, 2006
    Posts: 10,928

    krylon32
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Nebraska

    Must be in the switch. Started working at the ROC. I'll change it this winter. Thanks for the suggestions.
     
  20. Mr48chev
    Joined: Dec 28, 2007
    Posts: 36,057

    Mr48chev
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    It might be like the dimmer switch in my F250. The truck sat so much that the contacts got corroded and after being worked enough it started working like it should.
     
  21. RodStRace
    Joined: Dec 7, 2007
    Posts: 9,145

    RodStRace
    Member

    Please show any wiring diagram that has a dimmer switch for the headlights connected to the brake lights.
     

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